Daniel Sturridge has provided a significant boost to Liverpool FC’s pre-season preparations by returning to full training.

There were fears the £12million striker would miss the start of the Reds’ Premier League campaign as he battled to recover from the ankle injury he suffered on England duty back in May.

However, Sturridge was given the green light by the club’s medical staff to play a full part in yesterday’s hour-long special open session for season ticket holders and members at Anfield and he came through unscathed.

Tomorrow night’s game against Valerenga in Norway will come too soon for the 23-year-old, who will stay behind to build up his fitness at Melwood.

But boss Brendan Rodgers is hoping Sturridge will make his comeback against Celtic in Dublin on Saturday – the Reds’ final friendly before their league opener at home to Stoke City on August 17.

“It’s great to see him back out there,” Rodgers said.

“That was Daniel’s first training session with the team and I thought he looked very sharp.

“He obviously had an injury at the end of the season which set him back, but he’s worked very hard along with the medical guys who have done a great job with him.

“When we were away on the tour, we kept one of our senior conditioning coaches back home to look after Daniel.

“He had his foot in a cast for so long but never lost any power in his leg. His body fat percentage is one of the best in the group.

“He has looked after himself really well. Now it is just a question of getting him up to speed.

“The game on Wednesday will probably be too much for him so we’ll look towards the weekend.”

Sturridge made a big impact at Anfield following his January move from Chelsea as he scored 11 goals in 16 games.

With uncertainty continuing to surround the future of fellow striker Luis Suarez, who is suspended for the opening six games, Rodgers desperately needs Sturridge fully fit and firing on all cylinders for Premier League duty.

“What January to the end of last season was about for Daniel was education,” Rodgers added.

“For him to be what I think he can be, which is one of the top strikers in the Premier League, he can only do that by making himself available.

“You need to throw the dice two or three times a week, get yourself involved in games. That is something we have worked hard on – his mentality. We have tried to educate in that way.

“Now he is really focused and I believe he can have a great season. He has got pace and power. It is all there for him if he can stay fit. He can be the top British striker.”

Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson both sat out yesterday’s training session at Anfield after picking up minor knocks in Steven Gerrard’s testimonial against Olympiacos on Saturday.

All eyes were once again on Suarez, who was cheered by the 5,000-strong crowd but only briefly acknowledged their backing. The Uruguayan did line up with his team-mates to applaud the Kop at the beginning of the session but at the end he disappeared down the tunnel without clapping the fans.

Rodgers had previously insisted that Suarez’s attitude and application has been good in training – despite his frustration at the club’s refusal to grant him a move.

However, on this occasion Suarez, who had failed to turn up for Gerrard’s gala dinner in the city centre on Saturday night, looked sluggish before being sent to do some running on his own.

The Liverpool FC Foundation gave away 700 tickets for the session to community groups and charitable organisations including Alder Hey, Claire’s House and the NSPCC.

Reds midfielder and foundation ambassador Lucas Leiva was presented with a cheque for £56,000. The money was raised through the LFC membership scheme with 50p from every subscription donated to the foundation.

For more information about the Liverpool FC Foundation visit www.liverpoolfc.com/foundation

Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Norwich City at Anfield has been put back 24 hours to Wednesday, December 4 (7.45pm kick-off).